Taking the torch to spread the word about the Peter Max inspired 1972 Topps Baseball set...count down style.

Tuesday, September 6, 2016

#423 Oscar Gamble

Word Association: Q: Afro A: Oscar Gamble ...the hairstyle is
subdued here but what people remember is
the Fro’ was at its peak in Oscar's prime years....hair style screams 1970's....started
in Cubs system but got the biggest billing as a prospect as for the
Phillies...Touted by Complete Handbook of Baseball as the new Lou
Brock....Players were long way apart....Gamble never showed Brock’s speed,
fielding, and long term consistency...Brock never had Gamble’s power
outbursts.....Failure in Philly never playing a complete season with being sent
to the minors....Afterthought trade to Cleveland allowed to take advantage of
the new DH rule....once Indians dealt him to NYY, Oscar started a journey of 5
teams in 4 years...starting with Yankees 1976...on to South side Chicago for
1977, stepped up his game and had a career season with 31 home runs and 83
RBIs...had AL’s best home run to at bat ratio...reaped the monetary benefits of the infant free agency
market in San Diego... increased salary by nearly 500%....a fair BA but
production was way off for the Padres...rebounded with .358 BA in 1979 splitting time between
Texas and a return to NYY...Good results but never regained regular
status...completed another tour with White Sox in Swan Song season of
1985...hit 200 home runs

You're right, in further research Brock as outfielder was average at best and erratic at worst. Lou with his speed did make up for some mistakes and but may have added to a high error total. Gamble, traded to the AL at the start of the DH, was almost instantly relegated to that position. He would up playing very little outfield after 1973 unless he was in NL.